Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 716: RELATING TO HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 716 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 17, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW. Primary sponsor: AQUINO, Stanley Chang (Democratic), Kurt Fevella (Republican), KIDANI, Angus McKelvey (Democratic), Sharon Moriwaki (Democratic), Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQUINO | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Stanley Chang | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| Kurt Fevella | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
| KIDANI | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Angus McKelvey | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 6 |
| Sharon Moriwaki | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Karl Rhoads | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Joy San Buenaventura | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
| Troy Hashimoto | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 5 |
| Tim Richards | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 4 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1324) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
- Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
- The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
- Bill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Thursday, 03-13-25 9:00AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- Pass First Reading
- Referred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 19
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 185) in amended form (SD 2).
- Reported from WAM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 842) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
- 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
- The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Showing 12 most recent of 21 actions. Full history